GEORGE NEWS - George’s Mayor Browen Johnson has tabled a nearly R5b draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year, aimed at easing the burden of rising living costs on local households.
Delivered on Thursday 26 March, this ‘budget of responsiveness’ seeks to balance infrastructure growth with relief for working-poor and middle-income families.
Controlled tariffs and relief measures
Property rates are set to rise by 3.7%, matching the consumer price index (CPI), while water, sanitation and refuse services will see the same inflation-linked adjustment.
Electricity costs will rise by 7.88%, below Eskom’s 9.01% bulk tariff hike, with the municipality absorbing part of the increase.
The budget also introduces expanded support for vulnerable households: free basic services for families earning up to R9 680, a 50% subsidy for those earning up to R14 520, and free basic electricity increasing from 70kWh to 80kWh per month.
Pensioners will benefit from property rate rebates rising to 40% for those earning up to R429 000 annually.
Infrastructure investment
The draft capital budget of R791m targets visible service delivery and community safety, including:
- R14m for the Gwaing Wastewater Treatment Works and alternative water sources
- R20m for wheelie bins rolled out across formal and informal areas, as well as baboon-affected areas
- R32m for new minibuses and ongoing CCTV and fiber optic investments to combat crime.
The draft is now open for public comment, and Johnson urged residents to participate in the consultation process.
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